Small school district race brings in big donations

Education reformers and teacher unions donate thousands

Teacher unions and education reform groups have taken sides in the race to fill an open seat for an abbreviated term on West Sacramento's School board, pouring tens of thousands of dollars into the campaign of their respective candidates.

Five candidates are vying for the seat. It was vacated when the mayor removed a former board member appointed to take the place of a member who moved away.

Francisco Castillo has raised the most, $59,000 according to campaign finance reports.

"We need to shake things up to help improve student achievement in West Sacramento," Castillo said.

Castillo said he chose to run after camping out to make sure his child got into the Kindergarten in his neighborhood. He has worked for an education reform group call StudentsFirst which contributed $15,000 to his campaign.

The Charter School Association of California contributed another $10,000.

Castillo said he wants the seat to improve education at Washington Unified School District where he said 55 percent of students are not proficient in English or math.

"I'm not here to open up charter schools as my opponents have been saying all across West Sacramento," Castillo said.

Former Sacramento County teacher Sarah Kirby-Gonzales said she would bring her experience in the classroom to the table if elected.

"That's why we go to work every day, it's for the students and we want to give them the best that we can," Kirby-Gonzales said.

Kirby-Gonzales raised $26,000 including $10,000 from the Washington Teachers Association, its largest contribution ever.

The Sacramento Teachers Association also contributed to her campaign.

"It's something I'm very proud of. I want to have their support. I want to have everyone's support that i get.".

The mail-in ballots needed to be received by the Yolo County Election's office by Tuesday at 8pm or they can be dropped off at West Sacramento City Hall